Sydney City Roosters welcome Blake Ferguson to fold

WITH Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne chasing his NFL dream, news former Canberra bad boy Blake Ferguson has been cleared to train with the Sydney Roosters is good for NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley.

Ferguson (pictured) was dumped by the Raiders last year after being found guilty of indecently assaulting a woman in a Sydney nightclub, costing him his NRL career and his Origin jumper this season.

The NRL is still to re-register his contract but the indications are that will happen early next year in time for the Roosters to sign him as a replacement for champion fullback Anthony Minichiello.

"They've just given him permission to train with us, (but) there's been no contract registered," said Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan.

Still, for Ferguson, who says he is a changed man and has learned his lesson, being able to get back into training with an NRL club is a breakthrough after concerns his career was on shaky ground following a number of previous incidents which landed him in trouble with officialdom.

South Sydney's Kirisome Auva'a has avoided conviction after pleading guilty to two charges of recklessly causing injury to his former girlfriend and of criminal damage .

He was given a two-year good behaviour bond after admitting to attacking his girlfriend in a jealous rage and damaging her home.

Auva'a was ordered to pay the Melbourne Magistrates' Court $3000 as part of his penalty.